Timeshift2002

[at Paddington, waiting for the Cornish Riviera to depart]

Andrew Martin:
Today there is the normal scrimmage around the departure boards because no-one yet knows from which platform the train will leave. I'm one step ahead, however. The guidebook, produced in 1924 for people travelling to the Cornish Riviera, begins "No need to ask which platform for the Cornish Riviera Express - it's Number 1, every time". Platform 1 was always the pre-eminent platform for this station, reserved for the important trains.

[later]

Station Announcer:
[on Tannoy] Platform 8 for the Cornish Riviera Express.

Andrew Martin:
[wryly] Platform 8? That's a demotion. Serves me right for having a guidebook that's ninety years old.